By James L. Curtis, Benjamin D. Briggs, Brent I. Clark, Mark A. Lies, II, Adam R. Young, Patrick D. Joyce, and Craig B. Simonsen
Seyfarth Synopsis: The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has adopted an Updated Interim Enforcement Response Plan for Coronavirus Disease (ERP). Now, as states begin reopening their economies,
Continue Reading OSHA Issues Updated Interim Enforcement Response Plan for Coronavirus Disease
By James L. Curtis, Helen M. McFarland, Patrick D. Joyce, and Craig B. Simonsen
Seyfarth Synopsis: The State of Washington’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) just enacted Emergency COVID-19 Safety Rules on “Prohibited Business Activities and Conditions for Operations.”
In a first-of-its-kind emergency rulemaking, DOSH enacted an emergency rule that, on its face, allows
Continue Reading WA DOSH Issues Emergency COVID-19 Safety Rule Mandating Compliance with Emergency Proclamation and Safe Start Reopening Guidance
By Daniel B. Klein, Adam R. Young, Patrick D. Joyce, and Craig B. Simonsen
Seyfarth Synopsis: In the last two weeks, the CDC has updated the list of symptoms for COVID-19 on several occasions, eliminating the “two or more” list and adding “less common” symptoms and emergency warning signs.
Continue Reading CDC Revises Symptoms List for Coronavirus (COVID-19) Screening
By Chris DeMeo, Adam R. Young, and Craig B. Simonsen
Seyfarth Synopsis: CDC and OSHA issues specific guidance related to COVID-19 policies, administrative controls, engineering controls, personal protective equipment, and face masks for the nursing home industry.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, nursing homes and care facilities have instituted significant precautions and protocols to address employee and resident
Continue Reading CDC and OSHA Issue COVID-19 Guidance for the Nursing Home Industry
By James L. Curtis, Brent I. Clark, Mark A. Lies, II, Adam R. Young, Matthew A. Sloan, and Craig B. Simonsen
Seyfarth Synopsis: In Rural Community Worker’s Alliance et al v. Smithfield Foods, Inc. et al., No. 5:20-cv-6063 (W.D. Mo. May 5, 2020), Western District of
Continue Reading Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Seeking to Enjoin Employer to Implement Additional Safety Measures
By James L. Curtis, Mark A. Lies, II, Adam R. Young, Patrick D. Joyce, and Craig B. Simonsen
Seyfarth Synopsis: As we approach the heat of the summer season and as employers begin to re-open after months of COVID-19 quarantine, workers may be out of shape, out of practice on workplace safety procedures, and may
Continue Reading Heat Illness Strikes Back: Return to Work’s Untold Story
By James L. Curtis, Patrick D. Joyce, and Craig B. Simonsen
Seyfarth Synopsis: The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued an alert with safety tips for the restaurant and food and beverage industries to protect their workers from coronavirus exposure while they provide curbside pickup and takeout service to customers. The safety tips provide
Continue Reading OSHA Issues Alert with Safety Tips for the Restaurant and Food and Beverages Industries
By James L. Curtis, Mark A. Lies, II, Adam R. Young, Matthew A. Sloan, and Craig B. Simonsen
Seyfarth Synopsis: Last week, the President issued an Executive Order under the Defense Production Act of 1950 to protect the continued operation of the nation’s meat and poultry processors during
Continue Reading President Issues Executive Order To Protect Continued Operation of Nation’s Meat Processors; OSHA Adopts Enforcement Discretion
By James L. Curtis, Mark A. Lies, II, Adam R. Young, Matthew A. Sloan, and Craig B. Simonsen
Seyfarth Synopsis: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have jointly released coronavirus-related interim guidance for meatpacking and meat processing workers
Continue Reading CDC and OSHA Issue Meat and Poultry Processing Industry COVID-19 Interim Guidance
By Mark L. Johnson, Mark A. Lies, II, Adam R. Young, and Craig B. Simonsen
Seyfarth Synopsis: After a Sangamon County Circuit Court temporarily blocked the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission’s (IWCC) emergency rule that created a rebuttable presumption that injured employees contracted COVID-19 at work, the IWCC repealed the emergency rules.
Infectious diseases transmitted in the
Continue Reading Illinois Worker’s Compensation Emergency Rules Establishing Rebuttable Presumption for COVID-19 Have Been Withdrawn